An NHL defenceman and former Kelowna Rocket is hosting a charity street hockey tournament in the Okanagan this weekend.
Josh Gorges hosted the four-on-four tournament at Immaculata Regional High School on Sunday to raise money for his former school.
“My old elementary school needs a new [building] so they’re trying to raise some money. We are still about $1.2-million away from the budget that we need,” Gorges said.
Gorges and his family have been supporting St. Joseph Elementary School for several years.
The nearly 80-year-old building needs some upgrades and Gorges is leading the charge in helping to ensure enough money is raised to make that happen.
“There is an entry fee for every team that wants to come in and play. We did an hour-long autograph signing and seven of my buddies from around the league who live in Kelowna joined me… and we signed some autographs, sold some pictures and t-shirts,” Gorges said.
Gorges said 18 teams registered for the charity hockey tournament.
According to members of the St. Joseph Project, the upgrades to the school have been in the works for almost 10 years.
The $4.8-million project is slated to be completed by the summer of 2016; construction has begun for the new school which is expected to accommodate upwards of 100 additional students.
“People stepped up and helped, whether it was in school or hockey, to make things better for me. Now, it’s my turn to do it for others,” Gorges said.
Gorges said he’s blown away by the turnout and hopes to make it an annual event.
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